A Pink "Yady-bug"

We had our staff Christmas picture taken tonight at the home of one our wonderful church members.

They're the kind of people who don't know how to not be sweet, kind, & loving.

They planned a little fall fest for our little kids, and we had them all dressed up for the fun.

Parker got candy, played games with her friends, and acted like a sweet little lady the whole night.

We've got such a great kid.

She wanted to be a pink ladybug. So, I tried my hand at creating a costume, and that's what I came up with.

I was so happy that she was so happy. Feels good.

Mitchel was impressed too:).

We ended our night with dinner & a hay ride with friends who are like family.

It was a good night.

Now, our ladybug is tucked away in bed, and we're going to watch a little Charlie Brown:).

Just not the same without him...

Family Reunion

Family.

What can you say about them?

We all have them, we all love them, and we all think other family's are not quite like ours.

Our family is the same.

This is my mom's side of the family.

The family reunion I've attended all my life, the one my Naw's mom (Mam-Maw- yes, that's what we called them) started back when my mom was a kid.

My Mam-Maw had 10 kids. Raised them during the Great Depression & on, mostly as a single mom. Isn't that crazy?

This was the first year without Naw being here. It was different. No chocolate pies or cake.

This was one of her favorite times of the year.

 

Grandaddy had a hard day. Too many emotions to sort through, I'm sure.

But, he did enjoy this moment with the 2 year old.

They're sweet:).

The day starts with all the family arriving at different times, visiting, setting up...you get the idea. Then lunch. Usually barbecue. Although, my mom holds out hope every year that it will be Mexican.

After lunch, the contests begin. This is the coloring contest. Used to "compete" in this one myself. This year, my baby joined in on the fun. Crazy.

She won 2nd place in the 2 year old division. And, there were more than 2 kids. I think there were 4:). She was so proud of her medal, and SO excited about that blue bag.

There was "ken-dee" (candy) inside.

After coloring & dessert contests are over, the pictures start.

Every family takes one together.

Then the siblings.

Then the cousins.

There's usually a lot of laughing involved.

Here's our family minus a few members.

2 are in heaven.

4 were at home.

The cousins. :)

Our girl, eating her winnings from the day.

She earned it, right?

We packed up about 3, & prayed for a long nap on the way home.

Didn't happen, but at least she was happy, mostly.

The day went much faster than I remember it doing as a kid.

I was glad to be there with my family.

Good memories.

My Mom...

Is hard to get a picture of. Last Christmas...seriously? 

I need to work on that...

Getting back on track...

She's going to be a nurse!

She got accepted into nursing school & is now getting ready to enter this spring.

Yay for my mom!!

Now if she could just get her shot records straight. It's not easy when both your parents & your pediatrician are no longer living. :(

She'll get it. She always takes care of business.

Way to go, mom. We're so very proud of you & can't wait to see what this next chapter holds for you! Yay!! Now we need to get you some orange crocs...

My Aunt Sha has a post about my mom on her blog, too. Click here to go read it.

Or you can click on the Firmly Planted link on the right.

The State Fair

Can't believe it's already that time of year again.

It's always so crazy when the Fair rolls around again.

We go almost every year. I always have. Since I was a little kid.

I have memories of eating frito pies, corny dogs, cotton candy, & buying those plastic necklaces with all the big plastic charms on it. Watching the dog shows, the birds, the parade, and hanging out with Big Tex.

Mitchel has lots of State Fair memories too. Mostly of food.

Which makes it all the more fun to take our girl.

Making new memories for her is really special, & it's fun sharing our old one's with her too.

We always start with lunch from home....I'm cheap.

Don't worry....after lunch, the ticket spending game is on!

And look what we ate our lunch next to:

It was a fascinating experience for Parker.

First time to ever see cotton candy, much less eat it.

And....it was PINK.

She was giddy.

See?

Neither of us noticed her purse on her shoulder until looking at these pictures later.

She's so darn cute.

Then she had to learn how to eat it:).

That first bite was very interesting.

She figured it out...

Then it was off to the petting zoo.

This guy was my FAVORITE.

Who wouldn't love an adorable baby giraffe?

I wanted to squeeze him.

I refrained.

This one just made me laugh.

Parker had 2 big highlights of her fair day.

This was the first.

She was SO excited about the pigs. Then she got to pet them.

"My touch them!! My touch the piggie!"

Told me over & over, even though I was sitting right there.

It was very thrilling.

They were really cute too.

Parker saying hi to Elsie.

Apparently it was her birthday this year.

Not sure how old. Just happened to catch that.

So, Happy Birthday Elsie Cow:).

At the fountains.

Mitchel getting some 2 year old lovin'.

The sweetest kind...

And here's highlight #2.

I think she loves him. Or just can't figure out what he is.

She waved her little heart out to Big Tex.

Then she just stared at him. Every time she heard a man's voice all day long, she'd say,

"My hear Big Tex!" & "Oh, there he is."

Big Tex, you have a very cute 2 year old wrapped around your finger.

Too bad you're not real.

Can you read the steering wheel?

Yep.

Camaro.

Oh Mitchel...

Nice.

I was choking on Root Beer.

After Mitchel took the picture, he laughed & said what were you doing? Like I was making the face on purpose.

Then, he kept the picture.

I thought I'd put it to use here.

That makes me nervous...

End of the day.

We were pooped.

Why is it that the walk back out to your car seems to take an eternity when you leave the Fair?

I thought I might lay down & die before we got there. Then I apologized for being dramatic.

I made it. We all did. It was so much fun, but I'm glad I have a year to go before having to eat cotton candy, corny dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream bars, tater twisters, chocolate milk (yeah, I know)....again. It'll take me that long to work it all off. Just kidding...

I'll end with this:

Good times together.

I really, really love these guys.

A giveaway :)

Well one of my favorite blogs is having a giveaway I couldn't pass up:).

I even thought some of you girls might appreciate this...

I had a picture of her daughter, Vivi Jo :), wearing a dress made by an etsy lady who has donated a dress for the giveaway. 

Lots of cute stuff. Click here to see her retro dresses. 

Then the picture messed up, so I took it off. Sorry...

Anyway...click here to head to Vivi's mom's blog to read the rules for the giveaway & to enter yourself:).

Even if I don't win....isn't her little girl super cute:)?

Just sweet

I love them so much.

I could just squeeze them.

Both of them.

Just so darn sweet...

Wonder if this next baby will match them?

Makes me smile to think about having another little Mitchel.

He deserves it:).